Sams Club - Portage, MI

 Introduction

A review from my road trip to visit all the Electrify America (EA) sites in Michigan

Business/Location Name	Sams Club - Portage
Address	7021 Westnedge Portage, MI
Network	Electrify America
Station Details	6 Stations (2 - 350 kW, 4 - 150 kW)
Cost	$0.31 per kWh

The Sams Club Portage EA station was the 6^th stop on my lap around Michigan.  This site is at I-94 exit 76.

 

Accessibility

I-94 exit 76 onto Westnedge Ave, south from the highway.  South past the intersection with Romence Rd.  The chargers are in the Sams Club parking lot behind the Texas Roadhouse.  The longer distance from the highway and the high traffic of Westnedge Ave, make this an inconvenient stop when road tripping, as it takes too much time to get from and to the highway.

 

Amenities

Dining options include: Texas Roadhouse, Round Bread Sandwich Company, Thai Cafe, McDonalds, Sonic

Shopping options include: Sams Club, Best Buy and Target

Nearby there is a Shell gas station, and a Sams Club gas station for some car-related services (windshield cleaning, air).

 

Concentration

This is a larger 6-station layout for EA.  These stations are a different diagonal island layout that allow pull-through parking.  Side fender charge port cars will find an easier time connecting than those with front mount ports.  The diagonal parking caused me some issues on my first visit, but I quickly figured out the angle and spacing for the easiest connection to the vehicle.

 

Location

This site is positioned along the I-94 corridor enabling east/west travel.  The distance to the next stop to the east on I-94 is 110 miles in Ypsilanti.  The distance to the next stop to the west is about 150 miles to Orland Park, IL or Evergreen Park, IL.  From here, you can also head north along US-131 and get to the Cadillac location in 150 miles.  To the south, it’s over 200 miles to the next site in Indianapolis.

 

Speed

Electrify America has the fastest chargers available today.  The site supports both 350kW and 150kW stations and seems well-equipped to handle the current number of electric cars on the road, as well as the anticipated future growth.

 

Summary

This is the second time I’ve been to this location and both times, the traffic on Westnedge Ave has been terrible.  The station is difficult to find as you can’t see anything from the main road with the chargers hidden behind the Texas Roadhouse.  There are 2 chargers set up in a diagonal pull-in only configuration and then 4 chargers in a row that support the pull-through possibility.  I arrived with 25% battery and 62 miles range and left with 60% battery and 160 miles range.  I added 35% and 98 miles in 24 minutes.

 

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $8.54

Total kWh: 26kWh

Time: 24 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 65 kW (Calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.31

 

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
30	B	3	6	21

Walmart - Lansing, MI

 

Introduction

A review from my road trip to visit all the Electrify America (EA) sites in Michigan

Business/Location Name	Walmart Lansing
Address	409 N Marketplace Blvd Lansing, MI
Network	Electrify America
Station Details	4 Stations (2 - 350 kW, 2 - 150 kW)
Cost	$0.31 per kWh

The Walmart Lansing EA station was the 5^th stop on my lap around Michigan.  This site is at I-69 exit 93A.

Accessibility

I-69 exit 93A onto M-43/Saginaw Hwy, west from the highway.  Then south onto Marketplace Blvd to get to the Walmart parking log.  The north end of the Walmart parking lot.  Less than a mile from the highway, this site offers easy access while road tripping.

 

Amenities

Dining options include: Dunkin’, Cracker Barrel, Steak ‘n Shake, Arby’s, Culvers

Shopping options include: Walmart, Tractor Supply, Michaels, Lowes

Nearby there is a Shell gas station for some car-related services (windshield cleaning, air).

Concentration

This is a standard 4-station layout for EA.  These stations are in an island layout that allow pull through parking.  Side fender charge port cars will find an easier time connecting than those with front mount ports.

 

Location

Lansing is in the middle of Michigan, giving this site excellent reach to many sites throughout the state. Distances to various other EA stations including Novi – 75 miles; Portage – 75 miles; Cadillac – 150 miles; Gaylord – 180 miles; Bay City – 150 miles; Ypsilanti – 85 miles.

 

Speed

Electrify America has the fastest chargers available today.  The site supports both 350kW and 150kW stations and seems well-equipped to handle the current number of electric cars on the road, as well as the anticipated future growth.

Summary

This site was my only experience on this road trip with an out-of-service charger.  The first unit I pulled up to showed an error on the screen.  Hopefully this does not reflect the reliability over time, as these units were marked as being 2 years older than some of the other units I had seen on my trip.  Once plugged into a working unit, this site had some of the fastest charging, showing how charging deeper in the battery pack can give the best speeds.  I arrived with 22%, 50 miles range and left with 50%, 132 miles range, adding 28% and 82 miles in just 19 minutes.

 

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $6.90

Total kWh: 21kWh

Time: 19 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 66.3 kW (Calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.31

 

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
32	B	5	6	21

 

 

 

Meijer - Cadillac, MI

 

Introduction

A review from my road trip to visit all of the Electrify America (EA) sites in Michigan

Business/Location Name	Meijer Cadillac
Address	8605 East 34 Road Cadillac, MI
Network	Electrify America
Station Details	4 Stations (2 - 350 kW, 2 - 150 kW)
Cost	$0.31 per kWh

The Meijer EA station in Cadillac was the 4^th stop on my lap around Michigan.  This site is at US-131 exit 183, 0.8 miles west of the highway.

Accessibility

US-131 exit 183 onto 34 Rd/Boon Rd, just west from the highway.  The charging site is on the southeast end of the Meijer parking lot; in line with the Tesla Superchargers (less than a mile from the highway).

 

Amenities

Dining options included: Culver’s, Ruby Tuesday, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Starbucks, Qdoba, Taco Bell, Little Mexico, Jets Pizza.

Shopping options included: (Meijer), Walmart, TJ Maxx, Dunhams, Hobby Lobby, Dollar Tree

There is a Meijer gas station for some car-related services (windshield cleaning, air).

 

Concentration

This is a standard 4-station layout for EA.  The chargers are arranged in the pull-up-to configuration, which makes charging with Elektra’s front port location easy, but those with fender locations may struggle having to stretch the cables in order to make a connection.

Location

This site is well positioned to support the US-131 corridor.  It’s located about 100 miles from Grand Rapids, and about 45 miles to Traverse City.  There are only 75 miles to the EA site in Gaylord, MI to the north, 150 miles to the EA station in Lansing, MI to the southeast and 150 miles from the EA site in Portage, MI to the south.  This site is well-placed to support travels to and from Michigan’s Northeast lower peninsula.

Speed

Electrify America has the fastest chargers available today.  The site supports both 350kW and 150kW stations and seems well-equipped to handle the current amount of electric cars on the road, as well as the anticipated future growth.

Summary

I arrived with 43% battery and 119 miles indicated range.  I departed with 77% battery and 229 miles indicated range, adding 110 miles in only 26 minutes.  I was able to enjoy my lunch and watch a couple of Tesla vehicles come and go.  Overall, I’d say it was a smooth/easy stop.

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $8.22

Total kWh: 25kWh

Time: 26 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 57.7 kW (Calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.31

 

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
29	B	4	8	17

Meijer - Gaylord, MI

 

Introduction

From my road trip to visit all the Electrify America (EA) in Michigan

Business/Location Name	Meijer Gaylord
Address	250 Meijer Dr Gaylord, MI
Network	Electrify America
Station Details	4 Stations (2 - 350 kW, 2 - 150 kW)
Cost	$0.31 per kWh (Member price)

 

The Meijer Gaylord EA station was the third stop on my lap around Michigan.  This stop is off of I-75 at exit 282.  This is the northernmost EA station in Michigan.

 

Accessibility

I-75 exit 282 onto M-32/Main St and head west.  On the east side of the Meijer parking lot; in line with the Tesla Superchargers.  Around 2 miles from the from the freeway; his site offers relatively pain free access while road tripping.

 

 

Amenities

In addition to the Meijer at this location: Culver’s, Cracker Barrel, Taco Bell, IHOP

There is both a Meijer gas station and Speedway close for other car related services.

Shopping options include TJ Maxx and Kohls.

 

Concentration

This is a standard 4 station layout for EA.  These are arranged in the pull up to configuration, which makes charging with Elektra’s front port location easy, but those with fender locations need to stretch the cables to make the connections.

 

Location

This site is well positioned to support the I-75 corridor.  120 miles north of the Bay City, MI EA location.  Just 60 miles further north in Mackinaw City, and about 60 miles west to Traverse City.

 

Speed

Electrify America has the fastest chargers available today.  The sites support both 350kW and 150kW stations.  The sites are well equipped to handle the current electric cars and those to come in the future.  The Signet units at this location were manufactured in August of 2020 and should be ready to support your needs for years to come.

 

Summary

According to my scoring below, this site ranks a solid grade B.  This is a functional charging stop with limited amenities.  Of note, I believe due to week cell phone coverage, this was the only stop I was not able to activate the charger with the app, but fortunately, a simple tap of my phone on the charger started the charging session.

 

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $10.52

Total kWh: 32kWh

Time: 29 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 66.2 kW (Calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.31

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
28	B	3	4	21

Meijer - Bay City, MI

 

Introduction

From my road trip to visit all the Electrify America (EA) in Michigan

Business/Location Name	Meijer Bay City
Address	2980 Wilder Rd Bay City, MI
Network	Electrify America
Station Details	4 Stations (2 - 350 kW, 2 - 150 kW)
Cost	$0.31 per kWh

 The Meijer Bay City EA station was the second stop on my lap around Michigan.  This stop is off of I-75 on the northwest side of Bay City.

 

Accessibility

I-75 exit 164 and then onto Wilder Road.  East from the highway you will find the Meijer, easy to find on the south side of the road.  Both the EA and Tesla chargers on the east side of the parking lot along 2 Mile Rd.  Another very easy on and off charging stop for road tripping.

 

Amenities

In addition to the Meijer at this location:

Culver’s, Ponderosa, Lucky’s Steakhouse, UNO Pizza, and Cracker Barrel

Meijer Gas station provides nearby automotive service

Menards, and Tractor Supply

 

Concentration

This is a standard 4 station layout for EA.  These are in the pull beside layout, which is easier for cars that have the charging port on the side fender, but more difficult for those with the charging port in the front.

 

Location

This site is well positioned to support the I-75 corridor.  120 mile south of the Gaylord, MI EA location, and 120 miles north from downtown Detroit, MI.  This makes an excellent location for most current electric vehicles in the 200 to 250 mile range.  You can comfortably make from site to site at 80% charge from your starting location, even on cold Michigan winter days.

 

Speed

Electrify America has the fastest chargers available today.  The sites support both 350kW and 150kW stations.  The sites are well equipped to handle the current electric cars and those to come in the future. The made in August of 2020 Signet charging units here should be available to serve the electric car community for years to come.

 

Summary

According to my scoring below, this site ranks a solid grade B.  There are good number of options of the necessities nearby.  On my stop, I visited the Meijer Gas station and picked up some excellent donuts to power the rest of my trip.  I arrived with 38% battery and 105 miles of range.  After charging for 30 minutes, I left with 77% battery and 194 miles of range.  39% and 89 miles added.

 

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $9.20

Total kWh: 28kWh

Time: 30 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 56 kW (Calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.31

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
31	B	3	7	21

Meijer - Roseville, MI

Introduction

From my road trip to visit all the Electrify America (EA) in Michigan

Business/Location Name	Meijer
Address	30800 Little Mack Ave. Roseville, MI
Network	Electrify America
Station Details	4 Stations (2 - 350 kW, 2 - 150 kW)
Cost	$0.31 per kWh

The Meijer Roseville EA station was the first stop on my lap around Michigan.  This stop is off of I-94 just north of the intersection with I-696.

Accessibility

I-94 exit 232 onto Little Mack Ave.  The south end of the Meijer parking lot; one row over from the Tesla Superchargers.  Less than one half mile from the freeway.  This site offers easy access while road tripping.

 

 

Amenities

In addition to the Meijer at this location: Culver’s, Cracker Barrel, Taco Bell, IHOP

Shopping: Home Depot, Ollie’s Discount Outlet, Joann Fabrics, Petsmart, and Kroger

There is both a Meijer gas station and Speedway close for other car related services.

 

Concentration

This is a standard 4 station layout for EA.  These are arranged in the pull up to configuration, which makes charging with Elektra’s front port location easy, but those with fender locations need to stretch the cables to make the connections.

 Location

This site is well positioned to support the I-94 corridor.  45 miles from the start of I-94 at the US/Canadian border with the Blue Water Bridge, and 52 miles to the next EA station along I-94 in Ypsilanti, MI

 Speed

Electrify America has the fastest chargers available today.  The sites support both 350kW and 150kW stations.  The sites are well equipped to handle the current electric cars and those to come in the future.

 Summary

According to my scoring below, this site ranks a solid grade B.  Actually, this site receives one of the top scores to date.  (My scoring system is challenging).  The site is well appointed with easy access, and plenty of surrounding amenities.  My early morning quick stop was an excellent example of just how easy this stop is to use.

 

What I paid for this stop:

Total Cost: $0.99

Total kWh: 3kWh

Time: 8 minutes

Average Charge Speed: 22.5 kW (Calculated)

Cost per kWh: $0.31

Total Score (Max 44)	Score	Accessibility	Amenities	Usability
32	B	3	8	21